Come for the burgers, stay for the party

Published: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 2:39 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 2:39 p.m.

THIBODAUX — You can't get one anywhere else. Amid the rides, live music and other myriad draws of the Thibodaux Firemen's Fair this weekend, there's one attraction that keeps visitors coming back, Thibodaux Fire Chief Mike Naquin said.

“The one that people come for is the hamburger,” he said. “You can't get a Firemen's Fair hamburger anywhere but the Firemen's Fair.”

Naquin wouldn't reveal what makes the burger so irresistible, but he encouraged the community to show their support at the annual four-day fair, which generates operating revenue for the all-volunteer department.

“Not only does it go to a good cause, but people can come and have a good time and good food,” he said.

The fair, which runs from Thursday through Sunday, draws thousands to the department's fairgrounds at 1101 Tiger Drive in Thibodaux. Exact numbers are hard to come by, since the firefighters don't charge admission or for parking. Though fairs and fundraisers for the local fire companies date to 1895, the fair in its present form started in 1949, fire officials say.

“It lessens the burdens on our taxpayers for what we consider a world-class fire department,” said Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete. “It gives the community an opportunity to get together more than any other festival we have in Thibodaux.”

Fourteen bands are scheduled to perform and the food-and-drink offerings are extensive, from crab cakes, crawfish pies, cotton candy and corn dogs to beer, daiquiris and “firemen's punch.”

Good weather is expected through the weekend, and Naquin said he hopes the revenue will exceed the $330,000 raised at last year's fair, which suffered from a rainy final day.

With newly poured concrete areas, Naquin says parking should be improved this year.

Norman Steib, a retired civil engineer, who lives on Parish Road across from the fairgrounds, said he's taken his children and grandchildren to the fair every year for the food, rides and festivities.

“It's right across the street,” he said. “I don't have to look for a place to park or anything.”

Robert Zullo can be reached at 448-7614 or robert.zullo@houmatoday.com.

<p>THIBODAUX — You can't get one anywhere else. Amid the rides, live music and other myriad draws of the Thibodaux Firemen's Fair this weekend, there's one attraction that keeps visitors coming back, Thibodaux Fire Chief Mike Naquin said. </p><p>“The one that people come for is the hamburger,” he said. “You can't get a Firemen's Fair hamburger anywhere but the Firemen's Fair.”</p><p>Naquin wouldn't reveal what makes the burger so irresistible, but he encouraged the community to show their support at the annual four-day fair, which generates operating revenue for the all-volunteer department. </p><p>“Not only does it go to a good cause, but people can come and have a good time and good food,” he said.</p><p>The fair, which runs from Thursday through Sunday, draws thousands to the department's fairgrounds at 1101 Tiger Drive in Thibodaux. Exact numbers are hard to come by, since the firefighters don't charge admission or for parking. Though fairs and fundraisers for the local fire companies date to 1895, the fair in its present form started in 1949, fire officials say.</p><p>“It lessens the burdens on our taxpayers for what we consider a world-class fire department,” said Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete. “It gives the community an opportunity to get together more than any other festival we have in Thibodaux.”</p><p>Fourteen bands are scheduled to perform and the food-and-drink offerings are extensive, from crab cakes, crawfish pies, cotton candy and corn dogs to beer, daiquiris and “firemen's punch.”</p><p>Good weather is expected through the weekend, and Naquin said he hopes the revenue will exceed the $330,000 raised at last year's fair, which suffered from a rainy final day.</p><p>With newly poured concrete areas, Naquin says parking should be improved this year. </p><p>Norman Steib, a retired civil engineer, who lives on Parish Road across from the fairgrounds, said he's taken his children and grandchildren to the fair every year for the food, rides and festivities. </p><p>“It's right across the street,” he said. “I don't have to look for a place to park or anything.”</p><p>Robert Zullo can be reached at 448-7614 or robert.zullo@houmatoday.com.</p>